Wallpaper and Fabric Designer Serena Dugan Says Her "Traveler's Spirit" Informs Every Aspect of Her Life
The world really is Serena Dugan's oyster. A globe-trotter who studied psychology, art, and textile design, she collects pearls of inspiration (fabric swatches, art books) and mental snapshots (a palm leaf in Brazil, a Luis Barragán building in Mexico City) everywhere she goes. "I store them in my memory bank and draw from it for my work," she says of the colorful, graphic wallpapers and fabrics in her eponymous line.
Serena's Top Picks
Five years ago, Dugan stepped away from Serena & Lily, the brand she cofounded 13 years prior and helped grow from a baby-nursery catalog to an upscale home marketplace. Her plan was to paint full-time (she sells her canvases at galleries and on her website), "but I realized I still had a million other ideas I wanted to express," she says. Now, the mom of two starts most days sketching in her studio, dressed in a shirt, comfy jeans, and a good-luck charm or two in the form of jewelry from her grandmother. "They're wearable totems," she says. "I like to fill my home and closet with meaningful items." Dugan's patterns are infused with what she calls the "traveler's spirit," noting, "We are at our freest when we are exploring and seeing new things. I want to capture that feeling in my prints."
Button Up
"It's well-made and lets me move when I'm working."
Shop Now: Frank & Eileen Barry Featherweight Button-Up in Shirting Blue, $218, frankandeileen.com.
Sunglasses
"They're versatile and won't ever go out of fashion."
Shop Now: Ray-Ban Wayfarer Classic Sunglasses, $163, ray-ban.com.
Fabric
"Fenn [left] is soft and modern. Capretto feels vintage."
Shop Now: Serena Dugan Studio Fabrics, $178 a yard, serenadugan.com.
Belles of Ireland
A favorite, along with peonies: "This plant is the most hopeful shade of spring green."
Gin
"It's the right balance of floral and crisp. I drink it with tonic and extra lime."
Shop Now: Hendrick's Gin, $35, totalwine.com.
Lip Balm
"Moisturizing with just a hint of color."
Shop Now: Dior Addict Lip Glow in Berry, $35, sephora.com.
Jeans
"They fit well and look good. I feel tucked-in."
Shop Now: Mother The Hustler Ankle Fray Jeans in Au Revoir, $238, shopbop.com.
Lust for Life
"This moving biography speaks to the passion of an artist; it's transformative."
Shop Now: Lust for Life by Irving Stone, $18.59, amazon.com.
Take-Everywhere Tote
"It fits everything and is not precious. I can throw it around."
Shop Now: Uashmama Giulia Bag in Petrolio, from $139, us.uashmama.com.
Serum
"My skin's nutrients: I use a little in the morning and at night."
Shop Now: Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum, $195, nordstrom.com.
Hand Cream
"I learned about this from my mom. It's better than anything else on the market."
Shop Now: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream, $5.49, bedbathandbeyond.com.
Shearling Clog Boots
"I love slipping into shearling; these are super-comfortable."
Shop Now: No.6 5-Inch Pull-On Shearling Clog Boots on Mid-Heel in Brown Aviator, $390, no6store.com.
Dijon Mustard
"I use it all the time, in sandwiches, salad dressing, and lentils. It's not too spicy."
Shop Now: Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard, $4.38, walmart.com.
Blow-Dryer Brush
"I never take time for a blowout, but this makes me look like I've been to the salon."
Shop Now: Drybar Double Shot Oval Blow-Dryer Brush, $150, sephora.com.
Rose Oil
"It's an intoxicating mix of sandalwood and rose."
Shop Now: Amma's Rose Oil Roll-On, from $20, theammashop.org.
Neutral Nail Polish
"I alternate between this color and red-orange Essie Clambake."
Shop Now: OPI Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath, $10.79, ulta.com.
Sterling Flatware
"It was my mom's wedding silver, and I use it every day. I promised her I'd polish it."
Shop Now: Reed & Barton Diadem Sterling Flatware, price dependent on quantity, replacements.com.
Vitamix
"I make a morning smoothie with mango, spinach, banana, and protein powder."
Shop Now: Vitamix A2500, $549.95, williams-sonoma.com.